Bergenfield Football Falls Short Against New Milford in Emotional Season Opener
After losing their longtime coach, Rob Violante, in a car accident months earlier, the Bergenfield Bears faced grief in their season opener. The pain was still heavy on Thursday night in New Milford, and despite a strong second half, the Bears lost 14-6 to the Knights in front of an excited home crowd.
The game was quickly taken over by New Milford. On their first possession, the Knights completed a 66-yard drive under junior quarterback Max Kenny. Kenny finished with a 20-yard pass to junior wide receiver Brady Gilchrist along the left sideline for the opening touchdown. Senior running back Jake Johnson scored on a 10-yard run early in the second quarter to increase the Knights’ advantage. The Knights’ tough ground game was set by Johnson, who carried 27 times for 127 yards.
Bergenfield had only nine offensive yards in the first half. Adjustments at halftime gave the Bears new zest. In the third quarter, junior quarterback Xavier Valdez connected with junior receiver Jeremy Duran for a 59-yard score that gave Bergenfield fans hope for a comeback. Bears trailed by eight after the extra point attempt was blocked.
After that, Bergenfield’s defense stood strong and the Bears showed signs of tenacity, but crucial blunders prevented a revival. Interim head coach Joe Lapi, a former Violante assistant, commended his players’ commitment under emotional pressure despite the loss. He praised the team’s second-half effort despite injuries, including senior Jacob Rosario’s first-quarter elbow injury that necessitated an ambulance.
The contest was more than a season opener. Both sides observed a moment of silence for coach Rob Violante before kickoff. Violante managed Bergenfield for 14 years and led the team to five playoff berths. He also restored dignity to a squad that had struggled to define its identity. Afterward, players and coaches pledged to commemorate his legacy throughout the season, thinking his presence was still on the field.
New Milford’s win is more than a good start. In the smaller NJIC, the Knights defeated Bergenfield, a Group 3 Super Football Conference team, showing they could handle bigger and more physical opponents. Coach Bill Straub noted the size and strength differential between the conferences but praised his team for executing when it mattered. Kenny’s fourth-down touchdown pass to Gilchrist on the game’s first possession gave New Milford the confidence to win.
Despite losing, Bergenfield was respected by its opponents. Straub acknowledged the Bears’ struggles after losing their coach and praised their fight until the end. The Bears’ second-half effort showed promise, but the path ahead is difficult. The team proved they are not giving up despite grieving with Duran and Valdez responding under pressure.
Two stories emerged from the season opener: a New Milford team hungry to prove itself against a better school, and a Bergenfield team fighting for wins and the memory of a coach who changed their lives. Throughout the season, the Bears will struggle to reconcile their loss with their desire to remember Violante, while New Milford will try to capitalize on their grit and potential.
Sources
USA Today Network – NorthJersey Sports Coverage
Local High School Football Reports – New Jersey
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA)
